9/11 attacks: Former fighter pilot Heather Penney recalls suicide mission to protect Washington

On September 11, 2001, the United States endured a series of devastating terrorist attacks, but amidst the fear and uncertainty, acts of bravery emerged. One such story involves former fighter pilot Heather Penney, a young first lieutenant with the D.C. Air National Guard. As the attacks unfolded and the World Trade Center fell victim to hijacked planes, Penney and her fellow airmen realized Washington, D.C. could be the next target.

The fighter pilots had to wait for orders before taking action, but when the Pentagon was struck, frustration grew among those who knew they needed to protect the capital. Only after the Pentagon was hit did the Secret Service instruct them to become airborne. Penney and her flight lead, Colonel Marc Sasseville, scrambled to their F-16s, but their jets lacked missiles.

Faced with the lack of armed aircraft, the pilots devised a desperate plan - they would crash their fighters into an unknown hijacked aircraft to protect Washington. At the time, they were unaware of United Flight 93 or the fate of its passengers. Had they succeeded, it would have been a suicide mission. However, by the time they received the order to launch, United Flight 93 had already crashed in Pennsylvania, likely 20 minutes before their takeoff.

The passengers of Flight 93 fought back against the hijackers, preventing the plane from reaching its intended target. Penney and Sasseville, along with other pilots who arrived in Washington, later escorted Air Force aircraft back into the capital as President George W. Bush prepared his address to the nation. Today, 25 years after the attacks, Penney reflects on the true heroes of that day - the passengers who stood up against the hijackers.

She emphasizes the importance of remembering not only the tragedy but also the unity and courage that arose from it, urging Americans to honor the spirit of those killed on September 11 by carrying that legacy forward.